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The Sentimental Story Behind Camila Alves McConaughey’s Wedding Dress

06/14/2012 at 12:00 PM ET

Matthew McConaughey Wedding PhotoChristopher Polk/Getty

When it came to finding the perfect wedding gown, Camila Alves McConaughey knew exactly where to turn. Chanel? Nah. Vera Wang or Monique Lhuillier? Nope.

Instead, the bride asked Brazilian dress designer Ducarmo Castelo Branco, a 78-year-old family friend, to craft a gown for her June 9 nuptials to Matthew McConaughey.

“Ducarmo has been making wedding dresses for her entire life,” says Alves, who has known the designer since she was a young girl growing up in Brazil. “I guess you can say she has been planning this design for over 20 years.”

Branco worked on the project with a group of eight local women, and Alves’s faith in that team’s vision of a dream dress — a delicate beaded lace gown — never wavered. “I went to Brazil for a day and a half to work on the dress,” the bride tells PEOPLE. “I left and I just had to trust them. They finished the dress 22 days later.”

For Matthew and Camila’s exclusive wedding album — and to see the dress up close — pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

–Elizabeth Leonard

WANT MORE CELEBRITY WEDDING EYE CANDY? CLICK HERE!

To get a sneak peek of this week’s issue click here

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Showing 74 comments

Danielle on

Camilla looked like a real princess from a fairy tale book…..Congrats and long life together

Alexia on

I’m not a fan of the headband, but I love her dress and veil! I recently got married and opted for a dress with straps. Mine was a v-neck. I agree with jj–the strapless look isn’t that great and definitely does not work for everyone, so I am glad to see some women are moving away from it. Aside from the potential mechanical problems of keeping the dress up, women can easily get a sort of “muffin top” in a strapless dress unless they’re super skinny, and that is NOT a look you want to have on your wedding day.

Santoso on

I was a teenager when People Magazine began and it was for “people”- celebrities more so at the time Mia Farrow was their first cover. If you want hard hitting news go read their sister magazines Time or Newsweek or check out a newspaper.

The Sentimental Story Behind Camila Alves McConaughey’s … on

[...] more at People Magazine. Filed Under: Wedding [...]

CindyAnn on

JustSayin’ You are NOT paying to come on here and write your complaints! This is free. I see your comments alot on here and I honestly cannot remember when you had one nice thing to say. This is just an outlet to insult people because you have SUCH a miserable life! Beautiful dress, handsome couple.

Dee on

Im glad he finally decided to married the mother of his 2 children. Congrats to them both..

What’s the Story Behind Camila Alves McConaughey’s Wedding Dress? | Celebrity Mess on

[...] bride tapped a Brazilian family friend to create her custom gown People.com Latest News Tags Alves, Behind, Camila, Dress, McConaughey's, Story, Wedding, What's « [...]

catca on

Thank you People for giving us the details on what I think is one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I’ve ever seen. Camilla looks absolutely stunning. Now all I have to do is find out if this wonderful designer markets gowns in the U.S.!

Camila Alves’s Bridal Details : InStyle.com What's Right Now on

[...] eight seamstresses. “Ducarmo has been making wedding dresses for her entire life,” Alves, told People. “I guess you can say she has been planning this design for over 20 years.” Upping the sparkle, [...]

Hanna K. on

she looks pretty and the dress is really beauty!!

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